Viktor Gyokeres ought to be a West Ham United player by now, and David Moyes made a grave mistake by passing on him.
Though the Scot ultimately opted not to sign a striker, West Ham manager David Moyes was rumoured to be in the running to recruit Viktor Gyokeres last summer.
Moyes had the chance to bring the 25-year-old hitman to the London Stadium from Coventry City nine months ago.
In the end though, he joined Sporting for around €21.5 million (£18 million) in the summer of 2023 (Coventry Telegraph). That fee now looks like the bargain of the season all across Europe – what a signing by the Portuguese giants.
Since then, the Swede has been in electric form for the Portuguese outfit, and Moyes must be regretting not having signed the forward…
The powerful, hard-working and clinical striker now has an £85 million release clause in his contract with Sporting (Fabrizio Romano).
Only the very biggest clubs in world football will be even contemplating making an offer anywhere near that fee.
Gyokeres has racked up a remarkable 32 goals and 11 assists in 36 games in all competitions for Sporting (Transfermarkt).
The Swede is a willing runner, and is superb at stretching the opposition’s backline by making tireless runs into the channels. He is equally as strong with both feet and is very good at playing with his back to goal, holding up the ball and turning defenders.
Signing the 25-year-old for just £18 million would have been an unbelievable bargain for the Hammers, and I’m positive that he’d have succeeded in the Premier League.
Viktor Gyokeres would have been absolutely perfect for West Ham but unfortunately for us, we have no chance of signing him now.